Image: Adela Crandell Durkee

Knowing When You’re Ready to Submit: Q&A with Adela Crandell Durkee

In this interview, she discusses discovering writing in mid-life, how she knew when her writing was ready, why she opted to self-publish, and much more.
From Romance Novelist to Literary Novelist: Anna Schmidt

From Romance Novelist to Literary Novelist: Anna Schmidt

In this Q&A, Anna Schmidt discusses how she became a romance novelist, the nearly accidental way she acquired her current literary agent, her journey from successful romance novelist to self-published literary novelist, and more.
Jonathan Westbrook

5 On: Jonathan Westbrook

Writer and graphic designer Jonathan Westbrook discusses what it's like to win an extraordinary screenwriting contest, then have that win fall through.
Amy Tipton

5 On: Amy Tipton

Freelance editor and former literary agent Amy Tipton discusses her love of young adult and middle grade fiction, the "unlikable female character," whether agents who don't want a manuscript will be likely to pass it along to an agent friend, her personal editing style, and more.
Russell Rowland

5 On: Russell Rowland

Author Russell Rowland discusses the big mistake he made with HarperCollins, whether the journey of writing is truly its own reward, why his Indiegogo campaign worked so well, and his experiences with publishing—from one of the Big 5 to self-publishing.
5 On: Ian Thomas Healy

5 On: Ian Thomas Healy

In this 5 On interview, author and publisher Ian Thomas Healy shares what he learned from his experiences with literary agents, what to look for when submitting to small press publishers, his feelings about Amazon KDP Select, and more.
5 On: Julie Smith

5 On: Julie Smith

Author, publisher, and book marketer Julie Smith shares what she loves to write—and read—in a mystery, how her writing obsession evolved into marketing, the mistake many authors make with their book covers, and more.
Lisa Tener

5 On: Lisa Tener

Lisa Tener shares important lessons learned when writing her first book, the ups and downs of co-writing, the most important platform writers should have, and more.
Dario Ciriello

5 On: Dario Ciriello

Author Dario Ciriello talks about breaking writing rules, what publishing other writers taught him about the business, and how little he as a writer cares about what other writers think.
Debra Eckerling

5 On: Debra Eckerling

Debra Eckerling (@WriteOnOnline), founder of the writers' support group Write On!, discusses common writer challenges, the value of blogs, what it means to take writing to the next level, tragic networking mistakes, and more in this 5 On interview.
5 On: Elizabeth Marro

5 On: Elizabeth Marro

Author Elizabeth Marro discusses literary vs. commercial fiction and what she learned from the sale and marketing of her first novel.
Caroline Leavitt

5 On: Caroline Leavitt

Author Caroline Leavitt reveals the fears behind her middle-of-the-night writer anxieties, the contents of her colored book tour folders, her reaction to the praise her latest novel is receiving, and more in this 5 On interview.
Rosalie Morales Kearns

5 On: Rosalie Morales Kearns

Author, editor, and publisher Rosalie Morales Kearns discusses why she started a feminist press (and what it takes to run it), favorite writing exercises, the deeply held interests that fuel her own writing, and more.
RJ Kelly

5 On: R.J. Keller

Author R.J. Keller on the notion of the "second-book slump," how she dealt with a book idea similar to her own beating hers to the market, why to write the things that scare you, and more in this 5 On interview.
Massimo Marino

5 On: Massimo Marino

Author Massimo Marino discusses what it's like to read science fiction as a scientist, his experience with the Booktrope publishing collective, the mission of BookGarage, and more.
Rufi Thorpe

5 On: Rufi Thorpe

Author Rufi Thorpe discusses writing for men, her improbable path to publication, what she likes to see in a book review, and more in this 5 On interview.
Yi Shun Lai

5 On: Yi Shun Lai

Author and editor Yi Shun Lai discusses writing for the J. Peterman catalog, common problems she sees in short fiction and short nonfiction, why she decided to start writing about being Asian, and more in this 5 On interview.
Che Gilson

5 On: Che Gilson

Author Che Gilson discusses what she as an unagented author learned to look for in publishing contracts, designing your own cover art, the necessity of continually creating new material, and more.
Henry Baum

5 On: Henry Baum

Author/songwriter Henry Baum discusses self-publishing services, the value of a paid review, why he started his own self-publishing service, and more.
Barry Eisler

5 On: Barry Eisler

Author Barry Eisler discusses the pros and cons (where they exist) of legacy, Amazon, and self-publishing; research and editing; selling book rights; and more.
Reggie Lutz

5 On: Reggie Lutz

Author and radio broadcaster Reggie Lutz discusses her tendency as a writer to synthesize fiction genres, recommends qualities to look for in a writing critique group, offers advice on pitching and interviewing with radio hosts, and more.
Ashley Scott Meyers

5 On: Ashley Scott Meyers

Screenwriter Ashley Scott Meyers (@AshleyMeyers) discusses the critical writing lesson he learned over time, what it takes to make a living as a screenwriter, and what it felt like the first time one of his scripts was produced
Elisa Lorello

5 On: Elisa Lorello

In this 5 On post, bestselling author Elisa Lorello discusses authenticity, using social media to connect with readers, rejection, and the differences between self- and traditional publishing.
Jane Smiley

5 On: Jane Smiley

Jane Smiley on necessary compromises, writing good sex scenes, and what makes her nervous about writing even now in this 5 On interview.
A portrait of Heather Hale with the quote: "Some writing is therapy. And probably doesn't ever need to be read by anyone but you."

5 On: Heather Hale

Heather Hale discusses the top five mistakes screenwriters make, the usefulness of online script databases, and how to approach a first screenwriting contract.
David Corbett

5 On: David Corbett

David Corbett discusses the decline in our country's writing skills, his personal approach to marketing, writing to the market vs. to the passion, and more.
Dana Kaye

5 On: Dana Kaye

Publicist Dana Kaye discusses why not to pretend to be a publicist, the question of gender bias in publishing and publicity, marketing mistakes and misconceptions, and more.
Nadine Darling

5 On: Nadine Darling

Debut author Nadine Darling discusses her revision and query process, blogging, writing with children in the house, and more.
Eddie Wright

5 On: Eddie Wright

Eddie Wright discusses artistic collaboration, why he adapted his novella into a graphic novel, marketing straight fiction vs. marketing comics, and more.
Allyson Rudolph

5 On: Allyson Rudolph

Allyson Rudolph discusses some of her favorite experimental fiction, the day-to-day life of an associate editor at a publishing house, common problems she sees in fiction and nonfiction, her commitment to increased diversity in media and the arts, and more.
Sandra Gulland

5 On: Sandra Gulland

Sandra Gulland discusses the delicate process of blending of fact and fiction, the allure of unhappy endings, the publishing industry then vs. now, preparation for public readings/signings, and more.
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5 On: Mollie Glick

Literary agent Mollie Glick on what drew her to being an agent, what kind of query letter gets a quick delete, thoughts on chick lit, and more in this 5 On interview.
Craig Lancaster

5 On: Craig Lancaster

Craig Lancaster talks about his surprise success, what he learned from his most memorable rejection, why he gets so personal on social media, and more.
5 On: Nathan Bransford

5 On: Nathan Bransford

Author and former literary agent Nathan Bransford discusses (among other things) the ongoing emphasis on author platform, publisher and author marketing responsibilities, and in what way being a literary agent influenced his writing.
Hannah Goodman

5 On: Hannah R. Goodman

Author and writing coach Hannah R. Goodman shares her experiences in self-publishing and marketing YA fiction.
Jim Thomsen

5 On: Jim Thomsen

Editor Jim Thomsen discusses freelance editing, story craft, favorite authors, and his own authorial aspirations.
Josip Novakovich

5 On: Josip Novakovich

In this interview, Josip Novakovich discusses expectations vs. reality, the role of writing instruction, trends in writing, and more.
5 On: E. E. King

5 On: E. E. King

In this interview, author E. E. King (Elizabeth Eve King) explains her approaches to writing, humor, marketing, and publishing.
Carol Hoenig

5 On: Carol Hoenig

In this interview, author Carol Hoenig explains what makes an author attractive to the media.
Robert Kroese

5 On: Robert Kroese

Robert Kroese reveals the process that allows him to write up to three books per year, and how authors can increase their sales potential.
Anne Perry advice for writers

5 On: Anne Perry

In this 5On interview, author Anne Perry discusses (among other things): what plot is not what to look for when
Brian Felsen

5 On: Brian Felsen

BookBaby founder Brian Felsen discusses the push against the gatekeeper and the prevailing belief that not being on top is synonymous with being a "loser."
Kathleen Rodgers

5 On: Kathleen M. Rodgers

Author Kathleen M. Rodgers discusses her approach to writing and reading, her self-promotion philosophy, and why she won't self-publish.
James Moore

5 On: James C. Moore

In this interview, James C. Moore discusses journalistic vs. creative writing, finding time to write when time is hard to come by, and what being a New York Times best-selling author doesn't mean.
Victoria Zackheim

5 On: Victoria Zackheim

Author and editor Victoria Zackheim discusses (among other things) the art of marketing when published by a press with a limited budget and the keys to successful personal essays.
Leora Skulkin-Smith

5 On: Leora Skolkin-Smith

Note from Jane: Today, I'm pleased to announce the series 5 On by author Kristen Tsetsi. 5 On asks established, traditionally published